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Along the most frequented avenues in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a giant structure of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the junction of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists cannot book rooms, walkers are squeezed through tight corridors, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Restoration efforts began in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be taken down.

The city's political leader Jane Meagher has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

The 136-bedroom hotel was built on the site of the previous local government offices in 2009.

Projections from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building started shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been left out of action by the project.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been required one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant departed from the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

In a release, its owners said construction activity had forced them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also hosts dining franchise Pizza Express – which has displayed large banners on the scaffold to notify customers it is still open.

Delayed Plans

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year indicated that the process of "revealing" the façade would commence in February, with a total takedown by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that will not happen, referencing "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the setback.

"We expect starting to take down portions of the scaffold close to the conclusion of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"We are working closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we create an better site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, head of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that area of the city really difficult.

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to incorporate it within the urban landscape or create something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

A company representative said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was continuing.

They added: "We recognize the irritations felt by local residents and businesses.

"This represents a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the intricacy and scale of the repair work required, however we are focused on completing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This framework has been a blight for years, and I share the annoyance of inhabitants and local businesses over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also recognize that the contractor has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has turned out to be extremely complicated."